Sergeant Earl A. Burtch

Sergeant Earl A. Burtch | Oregon State Police, Oregon Sergeant Earl A. Burtch | Oregon State Police, Oregon
Oregon State Police, Oregon
Sergeant Earl A. Burtch | Oregon State Police, Oregon
Sergeant Earl A. Burtch | Oregon State Police, Oregon
Sergeant Earl A. Burtch

Oregon State Police, Oregon

End of Watch Wednesday, September 22, 1948

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Earl A. Burtch

Sergeant Earl Burtch was killed in an airplane crash when the Bellanca monoplane he was piloting struck a mountain near Coffee Creek in Douglas County.

He was returning to Medford after making a trip to Roseburg to install and repair several radios for the Oregon State Police. During his return trip he encountered clouds that closed in on him. One of the wings of his plane struck a mountain, causing it to break off. The plane nosedived into a pasture near Coffee Creek, killing him on impact.

Sergeant Burtch had served with the Oregon State Police for 16 months. He was survived by his wife and 5-year-old son.

Bio

  • Age 29
  • Tour 1 year, 4 months
  • Badge Not available

Incident Details

  • Cause Aircraft accident
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Rest in peace and always know that your service and sacrifice will never be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

September 22, 2020

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